The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment rates increased in all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions in May.

"Every May, a new wave of talent enters Georgia's workforce as thousands of graduates begin their career search. This is what a growing talent pipeline looks like, and it is why companies keep investing here year after year,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "With more than 5 million jobs across our state, there is a place for every Georgian, from the graduate landing a first role to the seasoned professional taking the next step. That is the kind of opportunity you can build a life on, and we will keep it within reach in every corner of our state."

Here, a synopsis of each regional commission: 

Atlanta Regional Commission 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 3.2% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 8,347 over-the-month and up 40,897 over-the-year, to 2,742,270, an all-time high.  

• The number of employed was down 746 over-the-month and up 41,237 over-the-year, to 2,655,361. 

• Initial claims were down 451 over-the-month and down 1,242 over-the-year, to 8,516.
   

Central Savannah River 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.7% over-the-month. The rate was 3.8% one year ago.  

• The labor force was down 1,566 over-the-month and up 4,255 over-the-year, to 216,195. 

• The number of employed was down 2,307 over-the-month and up 4,403 over-the-year, to 208,249. 

• Initial claims were down 191 over-the-month and down 86 over-the-year, to 706.  

Coastal Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 2.8% over-the-month. The rate was 2.9% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 2,408 over-the-month and up 6,920 over-the-year, to 371,570, an all-time high 

• The number of employed was up 1,174 over-the-month and up 7,070 over-the-year, to 360,997, an all-time high. 

• Initial claims were down 75 over-the-month and down 111 over-the-year, to 765.  

Georgia Mountains 

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 2.8% over-the-month. The rate was 2.9% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 1,024 over-the-month and up 4,475 over-the-year, to 248,671.  

• The number of employed was up 193 over-the-month and up 4,701 over-the-year, to 241,708. 

• Initial claims were up 44 over-the-month and down 56 over-the-year, to 546.  

Heart of Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.7% one year ago.  

• The labor force was down 27 over-the-month and up 3,609 over-the-year, to 120,610.  

• The number of employed was down 592 over-the-month and up 3,768 over-the-year, to 116,469 

• Initial claims were down 15 over-the-month and up 52 over-the-year, to 509.  

Middle Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 486 over-the-month and up 2,372 over-the-year, to 226,474.  

• The number of employed was down 410 over-the-month and up 2,379 over-the-year, to 218,784. 

• Initial claims were down 62 over-the-month and down 164 over-the-year, to 655.  

Northeast Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.0% over-the-month. The rate was 3.1% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 657 over-the-month and up 8,245 over-the-year, to 359,358. 

• The number of employed was down 622 over-the-month and up 8,394 over-the-year, to 348,633. 

• Initial claims were unchanged over-the-month and down 51 over-the-year, to 879.  

Northwest Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.0% over-the-month. The rate was 3.1% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 1,522 over-the-month and up 7,824 over-the-year, to 460,307, an all-time high. 

• The number of employed was up 234 over-the-month and up 8,201 over-the-year, to 446,481, an all-time high. 

• Initial claims were down 847 over-the-month and down 338 over-the-year, to 1,189.
  
  

River Valley 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 3.9% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 825 over-the-month and up 1,993 over-the-year, to 146,602.  

• The number of employed was up 239 over-the-month and up 2,048 over-the-year, to 140,948. 

• Initial claims were down 121 over-the-month and down 156 over-the-year, to 473.  

Southern Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.  

• The labor force was down 307 over-the-month and up 2,971 over-the-year, to 175,202.  

• The number of employed was down 1,025 over-the-month and up 3,178 over-the-year, to 169,311. 

• Initial claims were down 72 over-the-month and down 64 over-the-year, to 515.  

Southwest Georgia 

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.6% one year ago.  

• The labor force was down 508 over-the-month and up 2,760 over-the-year, to 148,031.  

• The number of employed was down 1,076 over-the-month and up 2,854 over-the-year, to 142,882. 

• Initial claims were down 65 over-the-month and down 67 over-the-year, to 420  

Three Rivers 

• The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.  

• The labor force was up 845 over-the-month and up 3,626 over-the-year, to 273,629, an all-time high. 

• The number of employed was down 334 over-the-month and up 4,133 over-the-year, to 265,004. 

• Initial claims were down 77 over-the-month and down 477 over-the-year, to 921.  

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office
[email protected]
(404) 232-3685

Media Contact: Chief Communications Officer, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected].gov
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail.

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.